As on most Saturday nights, drivers cruising on Massachusetts Street last Saturday were encouraged to honk for cannabis. But this time, the message was less about "honking for hemp" and more about the medicinal and recreational uses of the leafy plant. A group of about 55 people gathered to show support for legalizing marijuana as part of the international "Cannabis Liberation Day." The event, sponsored by the Students for Sensible Drug Policies, was one of several such events around the world. Cities such as Kansas City, Salt Lake City, Rome, Tokyo, New York, Moscow and Mexico City hosted similar marches that usually occur on the first Saturday of May. This was the first time that Lawrence hosted the 'Million Marijuana March.' [continues 357 words]
A day following April 20, or 4-20, a number associated with marijuana use, George McMahon spoke on campus about his involvement with medical marijuana. McMahon is one of only five patients left in the nation who have been approved to use marijuana legally through a little-known Food and Drug Administration program called Investigational New Drug. McMahon was the recipient of the National Certificate of Heroism for his participation in the President's Drug Awareness Program signed by Nancy Reagan in 1990. He receives 300 marijuana cigarettes a month at no cost from the government. [continues 452 words]
As students have been gathering in front of Wescoe Beach to protest the probable war with Iraq, another KU organization is now protesting a different war. "Water pipes on Wescoe!" said Chase Cookson, president of KU Students for a Sensible Drug Policy. "You can smoke your tobacco in there!" According to its mission statement, the organization is dedicated to the eradication of human rights violations and encroachment of civil liberties caused by current drug enforcement techniques and policies in the war on drugs. [continues 359 words]
